Progress engines did the first of two separation burns on command from Mission Control Moscow when it was about 50 yards from the station, at 3:29 a.m. The second was done at 3:35 a.m., with Progress 7 about 275 yards from the station.

Later this morning, at about 6:35 a.m., Russian flight controllers will command Progress 7 to fire its engines in a deorbit burn, which will send it to destruction with its cargo of trash and unneeded supplies and equipment. The spacecraft will feel the first effects of the atmosphere a little after 7:10 a.m. as it begins its fiery descent into the atmosphere.

The undocking clears the way for the arrival of a new Progress. Preparations are being completed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for the launch early Wednesday of Progress 8, which will bring several tons of fuel, equipment and supplies to the space station. It is scheduled to dock with the ISS early Saturday.

Information on the crew's activities aboard the space station, future launch dates, as well as station sighting opportunities from anywhere on the Earth, is available on the Internet at:

The next ISS status report will be issued Wednesday, June 26, after the launch of Progress 8, or sooner if developments warrant.

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